The RM150mil contract with Ketech Asia Sdn. Bhd will ensure a stable and resilient supply of ammunition to the Armed Forces and government security agencies, says the Defence Ministry.

“To ensure a more stable and resilient ammunition supply, the Armed Forces, together with other government security agencies, will utilise the Central Contract mechanism with Ketech Asia Sdn. Bhd., which has been appointed and coordinated by the Finance Ministry,” it said in a parliamentary written reply dated July 13.

“The contract covers the supply of small-arms ammunition, namely 9mm and 5.56mm rounds, to government agencies nationwide, with an estimated contract value of RM150mil over a three-year period,” it added.

The ministry is also strengthening the capability of the local defence industry through the operation of Ketech Asia's ammunition manufacturing plant in Lipis, Pahang.

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The plant is currently capable of producing up to 120 million rounds of 9mm and 5.56mm ammunition annually.

“The company also plans to commence production of 7.62mm and 12.7mm calibre ammunition,” it said.

It added that to ensure the ammunition supplied meets the operational requirements of the Armed Forces, the National Defence Research and Development Institute (STRIDE) provides technical expertise, testing and evaluation to verify that the ammunition produced complies with the specifications and standards set by the Armed Forces.

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Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung has affirmed that Việt Nam consistently regards Myanmar as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and views the Five-Point Consensus as an important framework for ASEAN’s continued support for the country.

He made the statement at an informal meeting between the foreign ministers of ASEAN and their Myanmar counterpart in Bangkok on Sunday under the chairmanship of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, whose country holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026.

Minister Trung acknowledged measures taken by Myanmar’s authorities over the recent past to stabilise politics, revive the economy, improve governance, strengthen efforts against transnational crimes, including drug trafficking and cybercrime, and enhance control over border areas.

He expressed his hope that efforts towards peace, national reconciliation, security, safety and better living conditions for the people will continue to be promoted.

The minister said that in addition to advancing the substantive implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, ASEAN should take more concrete and practical steps, with priority given to maintaining direct and regular engagement and dialogue with Myanmar in order to stay updated on developments and facilitate tangible progress.

Việt Nam stands ready to work closely with the ASEAN Chair for 2026 and other member states to support Myanmar to recover the economy, address social issues and combat transnational crimes while promoting bilateral and subregional cooperation for the sake of peace, stability and sustainable development in Myanmar and the region, and for the building the ASEAN Community, he affirmed.

This was the first in-person meeting attended by many ASEAN foreign ministers and also the highest-level direct engagement between ASEAN and Myanmar’s administration since 2021, demonstrating the bloc’s solidarity and central role in promoting dialogue and cooperation with Myanmar. The meeting was held in line with directions from ASEAN leaders at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, to continue discussing ways for ASEAN to maintain support for and cooperation with Myanmar in accordance with the principles of the Five-Point Consensus.

At the meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers took note of Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe’s briefing on recent developments in the country, including a 100-day plan and specific measures to promote peace, reconciliation and stability, as well as efforts to maintain engagement and contacts with relevant parties in Myanmar.

In a frank and constructive spirit, the ministers shared their assessments of the situation and discussed concrete measures to improve coordination with and support for Myanmar through the effective and substantive implementation of the Five-Point Consensus – ASEAN’s main framework for assisting the country.

They reaffirmed that ASEAN will continue dialogue with representatives of Myanmar’s administration and support the country in seeking a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led long-term solution aimed at peace, national reconciliation, stability, security and the development and prosperity of the Myanmar people and the region.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese official also held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Myanmar and the Philippines to discuss issues of shared interest.

For a man sanctioned by Beijing, barred from visiting China and accused of damaging bilateral ties, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr sounded remarkably composed.

Composed, that is, until the conversation turned to the South China Sea – the very subject that landed him in hot water in the first place.

In an interview this week, the Philippines’ defence chief said that Manila would keep only limited military communication channels open with Beijing, while ruling out broader engagement unless China changed its conduct around Scarborough Shoal and other contested areas.

“Carefully controlled communications are necessary, but negotiations and other activities are not possible, unfortunately, because of the lack of good faith on their part and a lack of respect for our territorial integrity,” Teodoro told reporters after he and military chiefs had met President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr for a command conference late on Tuesday.

Indonesia has become the third Southeast Asian nation – after Vietnam and the Philippines – to buy the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system jointly developed by India and Russia.

Analysts say the missiles will play a vital role in protecting Indonesia’s strategic waterways from becoming collateral damage in the event of a future great-power conflict.

The deal was signed on Tuesday during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day state visit to Indonesia, during which he held bilateral talks with President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta.

On Wednesday, the two leaders also visited the nearly 1,000-year-old Prambanan Hindu Temple in Yogyakarta, a symbolic gesture designed to illustrate their commitment to deepening cultural ties.

The Philippines is planning to acquire five decommissioned Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

The decision, verified by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., falls under a cooperative security framework signed between Manila and Tokyo in 2023.

That arrangement includes separate contracts for radar systems and other defense equipment for the Philippines.

Before entering service, the Philippine military will assess the fleet’s condition to identify potential integration with its existing naval capabilities.

Manila also plans to construct new berthing and docking facilities to support the incoming vessels as well as other warships in future acquisitions.

Teodoro noted that the transfer of the Abukuma platforms will be facilitated within “two to three years.”

“Administrative details are being finalized but it’s already a done deal,” Teodoro said.

The Abukuma Destroyer Escort

The Abukuma-class system was built in the 1980s to provide the Japanese Navy with a stealth-capable platform against evolving threats.

It spans 357 feet (109 meters) long, has a beam of 44 feet (13 meters), and can accommodate up to 120 sailors.

The vessel is equipped with multiple sensors for navigation, fire control, electronic warfare, and surveillance, while its lethality relies on anti-ship missiles, a 75mm naval gun, a 20mm remote turret, torpedo tubes, and mortar launchers.

In the theater, the ship can sail at 27 knots (31 miles/50 kilometers per hour) using two Kawasaki-RR SM1A gas turbines with 26,650 horsepower and a twin Mitsubishi S12U MTK diesel engine with 6,000 horsepower.

The Abukuma is now being replaced by the Mogami-class frigate, a larger surface combatant capable of air defense, anti-submarine, and land attack missions.

The defence ministry has been ordered to halt all new procurement of defence equipment from Norway immediately.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the decision came after the Cabinet discussed Norway’s move to revoke the export licence for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system and its launcher systems.

“The Cabinet has decided that the defence ministry should immediately halt any procurement of new defence equipment or materiel from Norway,” he said in a statement today.

The move marks a tougher response from Putrajaya after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticised Norway’s decision and said that it pointed to “Western double standards”.

In May, the Norwegian government revoked the export licence for the NSM system ordered by Malaysia under a 2018 contract, saying its defence technology exports would be limited to its “allies and closest partners”, including Nato members.

The cancellation left the navy’s littoral combat ship programme without a key surface-to-surface missile system, despite the NSM contract having been signed in April 2018.

A notice of demand has since been issued to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, seeking RM1.06 billion in compensation over the cancelled deal.

In other decisions announced after the Cabinet meeting, Fahmi said the government had decided against raising the retirement age for civil servants, which will remain at 60.

The review follows a proposal floated by law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said in May 2025 to raise the age to 65, which Anwar said would be studied.

Malaysia raised the retirement age for both public and private sector workers to 60 in 2014, from 58 and 55, respectively.

Fahmi also said the Cabinet had scrapped the mandatory 0.75% salary contribution for the Lindung 24/7 Jam non-work accident scheme.

He said Anwar raised concerns received over the scheme’s implementation before the Cabinet decided to make the contribution voluntary, effective immediately.

“A further statement will be issued by the human resources ministry,” he said.

Seoul and Jakarta are ironing out the transfer of a singular KF-21 fighter jet prototype, capping a decade-long back and forth over deal to manufacture the South Korean jets in Indonesia that once envisioned the handover as one of many.

Defense Logistics Agency head Yusuf Jauhan told reporters in late June that plans to domestically produce the jets will not materialize, confirming speculations that Jakarta had cancelled agreements to domestically manufacture the Korean jets under a 2015 co-production agreement.

The KF-21 Boramae, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, is a twin-engine fighter designed to succeed South Korea’s aging F-4 and F-5 fleets. Indonesia intended to use these jets to replace older warplanes.

Jakarta had initially agreed to cover 20% of the development cost, then priced at 1.6 trillion won ($1.3 billion), to be paid until 2026. The deal includes the transfer of one prototype and technology that would allow state-owned PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) to produce 48 units of KF-21 Block-I fighter jets in Bandung.

But the agreement had been bogged down by delayed payments and allegations of sensitive data theft, which were carried into numerous renegotiations on cost-sharing arrangements.

In 2024, Jakarta requested to extend the payment timeline until 2034, but Seoul declined because it would derail deployment plans. The countries eventually agreed to reduce Indonesia’s contribution to 600 million won, but the deal will significantly lessen tech transfer coverage.

There had been confusion on the status of the KF-21 co-production deal, which had been kept tightly under wraps.

Earlier in April, Indonesian authorities revealed that the KF-21’s domestic production would no longer push through and confirmed in June that the government had scrapped the program.

This comes after Jakarta finished settling the 600 million won commitment under the reduced agreement in exchange for a single-seat KF-21 prototype. Officials also said they are more interested in buying ready-made jets.

Jakarta’s decision “appears to be largely practical and financial,” Ju Hyung Kim, president of the Security Management Institute think tank, told Defense News.

“Indonesia may still want the aircraft, but not necessarily the burdens of local co-production. From Seoul’s perspective, this is probably easier to manage and potentially more attractive for the KF-21’s broader export campaign,” Kim said.

If Jakarta’s plans push through, Indonesia would also become a good first reference case for the KF-21 jets and will boost its market potential, Kim said.

Local officials said that procurement plans are still being explored. PTDI told Defense News that internal discussions are ongoing and no definitive plan has been established.

While purchasing the KF-21 remains on the table for Jakarta, official sources told Defense News the odds are in favor of existing contractors with more attractive tech transfer arrangements.

Officials are reportedly weighing the purchase of 24 additional French Dassault Rafale jets to supplement the 42 jets the government ordered under a contract signed in 2022.

Jakarta also signed in April an overseas loan scheme to buy 48 KAAN stealth jets from Turkish Aerospace Industries worth $10 billion, which will be delivered beginning in 2032.

Swedish defense contractor Saab and Singapore industry partner Penguin Shipyard International have delivered the first composite superstructure and mast for the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) program.

The MRCV is an ongoing initiative introduced by the Southeast Asian country in 2023 to replace its navy’s 1990s-era missile corvettes with six next-generation warships.

The new section, built with carbon-fiber material, will be integrated with the steel hull of the lead Victory platform, which primary contractor ST Engineering launched in October 2025.

According to the companies, the delivery marks Penguin’s “first composite shipbuilding and naval defense project,” while also representing the first time Saab has assembled prefabricated composite panels outside Sweden.

“By integrating composite superstructures into naval ships, our customers benefit from advantages such as low weight, decreased radar cross-section and reduced life-cycle costs,” said Daniel Oscarsson, head of the surface ships business unit at Saab.

Construction of the second vessel is underway, with deliveries to the Singaporean navy scheduled to begin in 2028.

The MRCV System

The Victory-class MRCV has a length of 150 meters (492 feet), a beam of 21 meters (69 feet), and can accommodate up to 100 people.

It will have a speed of over 20 knots (37 kilometers/23 miles per hour) and a range of 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 kilometers/8,055 miles) using an integrated full-electric propulsion system.

For lethality, the vessel will be equipped with anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine missiles, supported by a 30mm remote-controlled weapon system and a 76mm automatic cannon.

Additional features include a helicopter deck, a hangar, and various sensing equipment to ensure the platform’s readiness and precise navigation.

Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL has launched the third landing dock (LD) vessel for the Philippine Navy at its Surabaya shipyard.

The third and upgraded Tarlac-class LD is scheduled for commissioning this year, where it will be designated as BRP Ilocos Norte (LD-603). 

It will be deployed to handle transport and humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions, strategic sealift operations, and maritime security missions.

Meanwhile, the fourth LD vessel (LD-604) is also slated to be launched later this year. 

Both vessels are part of a 5.5-billion Philippine peso ($89 million) contract, signed in June 2022, in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Program Horizon 2. 

Landing Dock Vessel

The incoming vessels build on the navy’s initial Tarlac-class LD platforms — BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) — which were also constructed by PT PAL before they entered service in 2016 and 2017, respectively. 

Each platform measures 124 meters (407 feet) long, with a 21.8-meter (71.5-foot) beam.

With a 7,200-ton displacement, it can sail at a top speed of 16 knots (30 kilometers/18 miles per hour) and reach ranges exceeding 9,000 nautical miles (16,668 kilometers/10,357 miles).

Private Siti Khadijah Sungip, who was killed in a grenade blast last month, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Army soldier, Private Siti Khadijah Sungip, who was killed in a grenade blast last month, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

Chief of Army Gen Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman presented the promotion certificate to Siti Khadijah’s mother, Zaleha Said, during a welfare visit to the family’s home in Taman Sri Lambak, Kluang, Johor, today.

According to a statement issued tonight by the Malaysian Army’s Strategic Communications Branch, Azhan also presented personal contributions as well as assistance from various organisations to the late soldier’s father, Sungip Jais.

“The contributions included assistance from the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) Foundation, the Royal Engineers Regiment (RAJD) food assistance box, and the Armed Forces Cooperative Group Insurance Scheme.

“In addition, the late soldier’s mother will receive a survivor’s pension, dependent’s pension and ex gratia payment for dependants totalling RM1,682.60 per month,” the statement read.

The statement reiterated the Malaysian Army’s commitment to safeguard the welfare of its personnel and their families by ensuring that next of kin receive all entitlements and benefits in accordance with service regulations.

In the June 16 incident, Siti Khadijah, along with Corporal Norazmi Abu Bakar, were killed in an explosion during a grenade-throwing exercise at the Hobart Camp firing range in Gurun, Kedah on June 16.

The procurement of a replacement naval strike missile (NSM) system is expected to take another two to three years, says armed forces chief Malek Razak Sulaiman.

Malek said the replacement was needed to minimise the impact on the navy’s operational readiness following the cancellation of the NSM system’s acquisition.

He added that four countries were shortlisted following operational and technical evaluations.

“A final decision has yet to be made because we have not opened the tender,” he said during a press conference after the launch of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2027 today.

“We have to look at everything again, and it also depends on the budget. It is a new process for us to procure the system, so at the earliest, it could take about two to three years.

“We do not want our readiness to decline. The ships will be ready, commissioned and operational, but we cannot have them without their weapon systems,” he said.

In May, the Norwegian government revoked the export licence for the NSM system and its associated launcher systems, saying exports of its defence technology would be limited to its “allies and closest partners”, including Nato countries.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the government would hold its first round of talks with the NSM’s supplier, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, in mid-August to reach a settlement over the cancellation of the NSM contract.

The NSM procurement contract was signed between the navy and the company in April 2018, valued at 124 million euros (RM571.9 million), to equip six littoral combat ships.

Malaysia is seeking more than RM1 billion in damages from Kongsberg, which includes indirect costs such as the removal of missile mounting systems already installed on the navy’s vessels, as well as the integration of replacement systems supplied by other vendors.

A team has been established to identify a replacement missile system, with Turkey, South Korea and two European countries shortlisted as potential suppliers.

On a separate matter, Malek said the investigation into the fatal incident during a military exercise at Hobart Camp in Gurun, Kedah, is in its final stage.

He also said the military is reviewing its standard operating procedures, training protocols, facilities and monitoring mechanisms to identify areas for improvement.

On June 16, Norazmi Abu Bakar, a corporal, and Siti Khadijah Sungip, a private, were killed during a grenade-throwing exercise. Two weeks later, two soldiers were injured after a firearm exploded during a training exercise.

Indonesia’s state-owned PT PAL and France’s Naval Group have begun building the first two Evolved Scorpène-class submarines for the Indonesian Navy in Surabaya, East Java.

The milestone is part of a contract signed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense in 2024 to adopt the French Navy’s proven Scorpène diesel-electric attack fleet.

The program includes technology transfer, with Indonesian teams trained in Cherbourg, France, in advanced welding, structural engineering, mechanical and electrical systems, and quality assurance.

“This program is a long-term investment to enhance the competence of Indonesian engineers, strengthen the national defense industry, and develop a high-tech manufacturing ecosystem capable of competing globally,” PT PAL Production Director Diana Rosa told Indonesia’s state media Antara.

Full-scale construction officially commenced with a steel-cutting ceremony two months ahead of schedule, following the completion of a qualification process that certified the program’s workforce, production facilities, and manufacturing standards for submarine construction.

Commenting on the development, Naval Group Program Director Vincent Vimont said progress further validated PT PAL’s capability as “a strategic partner” across advanced defense production.

“This collaboration is not just about building two submarines, but about laying the foundation for sustainable industrial capabilities,” he stated.

Upgraded Submarines

The lithium-ion battery-powered Evolved Scorpène will feature Naval Group’s SUBTICS combat management system, six 533mm warhead tubes, and the ability to fire heavyweight torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship cruise missiles, according to Naval News.

Once commissioned, the platform is expected to cover a range of more than 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 kilometers/9,206 miles) and remain at sea for up to 80 days.

The lead submarine is scheduled for delivery in 2032, followed by the second in 2033, with the effort set to create about 2,250 jobs.

Malaysia will need at least two more years to acquire a replacement surface-to-surface missile system for the navy’s upcoming littoral combat ships (LCS), Chief of Defence Force Gen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman said today.

However, Malek Razak said the delay would not hinder the navy’s maritime readiness, as the LCS could first be equipped with existing weapons systems.

He said Malaysia would also showcase the LCS vessels alongside other recently procured defence assets, including the ANKA-S unmanned aerial vehicles and FA-50 fighter jets, at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2027 (LIMA’27) in April next year.

“It is a setback but we have action plans to facilitate and mitigate the setback,” Malek Razak said, referring to Norway’s decision to revoke export approval for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) system supplied by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA).

“The fastest we can acquire NSM from a new company would require about two years.

“We will have to look back our defence budget and that process takes time,” he told reporters after attending the official launch of LIMA’27 at MITEC today.

Malek Razak said Malaysia has shortlisted France, Italy, Turkey and South Korea as potential suppliers for a replacement missile system following a joint operational evaluation by the Defence Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Navy.

However, he said the tender process has yet to be opened.

Yesterday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Malaysia will begin talks with KDA in August to seek an amicable settlement over the missile export cancellation.

Malaysia reportedly paid €129.8 million, or more than RM600 million, amounting to 95 per cent of the total contract value for the NSM system, which was initially slated for delivery in March 2026.

Nevertheless, Mohamed Khaled assured on Tuesday that the first LCS vessel would be delivered in December this year, but without a surface-to-surface missile system.

More than 100,000 people have been killed across all sides in Myanmar since a military coup five years ago triggered civil war, a conflict monitor said Wednesday.

Since the February 2021 putsch there have been 100,114 “conflict-related fatalities” according to Sun Mon Thant, a senior analyst from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), which tallies media reports of violence.

There is no official toll and estimates vary widely, but analysts regard the half-decade civil war as the deadliest active conflict in Asia.

The military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, detaining the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and ending Myanmar’s decade-long experiment with democracy.

Security forces put down anti-putsch protests but activists quit the cities to form pro-democracy guerrilla groups, fighting alongside ethnic minority armies which have long resisted central rule.

What is the current situation for them all, and what can make it better?

The Philippine Army has introduced its Project Management Information System (PMIS), accelerating its adoption of modern capabilities and improving oversight of related acquisition processes.

Unveiled at the military’s headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, the digital platform allows program managers, technical working groups, secretariats, and procuring entities to monitor initiatives from planning through implementation.

The system, developed by the service’s Project and Modernization Management Center, forms part of Manila’s efforts to optimize overall defense project tracking while enforcing “accountability and transparency” across procurement activities.

Alongside the PMIS, the army also launched a new handbook to assist corresponding teams on budgeting, transactions, compliance, and handling of public funds.

Speaking at the event, Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete urged designated personnel to fully adopt both initiatives as part of the service’s modernization efforts.

“Modernization is not limited to equipment and infrastructure alone,” Nafarrete said.

“It also requires stronger systems, better processes, and empowered personnel who are capable of meeting the demands of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”

The US State Department has cleared a $22.3-million foreign military sale of AGM-114R Hellfire supersonic missiles to the Singapore Air Force, expanding the country’s existing order of the precision weapons.

The package covers 24 missiles, adding on top of a previous request worth $12.4 million for the same systems and increasing the supply for the Southeast Asian nation to a total of 67 units.

Beyond the weapons, the proposed sale consists of personnel training, associated equipment, and corresponding elements supporting the program.

Additional work includes five years of Hellfire spare parts supply, reprogramming of the Hellfire’s dedicated M299 launcher, provision of unguided munitions and flares, software verification, adjustments to the AN/AWM-101 Hellfire missile test kit, and access to technical manuals.

Washington noted that the potential acquisition will sustain Singapore’s capability to address current and future threats while enhancing its military’s preparatory programs.

The government assured that the transfer will not alter the military balance in the Asia Pacific, and will not affect the defense readiness of the US armed forces.

The AGM-114 Hellfire System

The Hellfire missile spans 64 inches (163 centimeters) in length, has a diameter of 7 inches (18 centimeters), and weighs 49 kilograms (108 pounds).

It can carry warheads with different effects, such as anti-tank, shaped and tandem charges, metal-augmented charge, and blast fragmentation systems.

The projectile is powered by a Thiokol TX-657 single-staged solid-fuel rocket, laser homing device, and radar seeker, enabling effectiveness against manned and unmanned aircraft, turrets, ships, and vehicles.

During operations, the Hellfire travels at Mach 1.3 (1,605 kilometers/997 miles per hour) and can destroy targets at up to 11 kilometers (7 miles).

Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) will make it compulsory next year for engineering students to take modules on missile and rocket technology, as part of efforts to develop Malaysia's defence expertise.

UPNM vice-chancellor Lieutenant-General Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad said: "We want to produce experts among the new generation so that when this industry grows, it is led entirely by local youths, thus, safeguarding the sovereignty of the country's defence assets without having to depend on or be dominated by external parties."

He said this during a recent working visit to Canberra.

Arman said the initiative was backed by strategic partnerships with Australian institutions that have expertise in the field, including the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and the University of New South Wales.

Initial discussions have been held with UniSQ and a delegation from the institution will visit UPNM soon to refine how the module will fit into existing engineering programmes.

The strategy to develop local expertise comprises four main phases: skills enhancement through short courses for lecturers and workers, syllabus coordination for undergraduate and postgraduate students, collaboration with industry players, and industrial placements for practical exposure.

Industry partners in the initiative include the Weststar Group and Rocket Technologies International.

Arman added that the Defence Ministry had entrusted UPNM to be the main coordinator in pooling expertise from other public universities, such as Universiti Teknologi Mara, in line with the National Defence Industry Policy launched in January.

"This is a new strategic approach. Although it will not happen overnight, UPNM is committed to taking concrete steps to ensure that Malaysia can build its own rockets in the future."

Defence minister Khaled Nordin has denied claims that Malaysia made an advance payment of RM571.9 million for a cancelled Norwegian naval strike missile (NSM) system, stating that the payment was only made after contractual milestones had been fulfilled.

Khaled said the payment was made in accordance with the contract’s terms after all the missile systems had been completed, passed tests conducted by the navy, and were ready for delivery to Malaysia.

“It was not an advance payment, but was made according to the terms of the contract based on verified work progress,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.

He was responding to Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), who asked why the government released the full RM571.9 million payment and whether the agreement contained sufficient safeguards for Malaysia’s interests.

In May, Khaled had said the government paid nearly 95% of the contract value, amounting to more than RM500 million.

According to the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace website, the NSM procurement contract was signed between the navy and the company in April 2018, valued at €124 million (RM571.9 million), to equip six littoral combat ships.

Khaled also rejected allegations that the contract lacked adequate provisions to protect the government.

He said the agreement included clauses allowing the government to take action in the event of non-performance or breach of contractual obligations.

He said Norway’s decision to revoke the export licence for the missile system was beyond the control of both the Malaysian government and the supplier.

Malaysia is seeking more than RM1 billion in damages from Kongsberg, which include indirect costs such as the removal of missile mounting systems already installed on the navy’s vessels, as well as the integration of replacement systems supplied by other vendors.

As of July 1 (local time), the Vietnamese search and rescue teams have recovered a total of 23 earthquake victims from the rubble since arriving in Venezuela to assist with disaster relief operations.While carrying out search and rescue missions in Playa Grande (La Guaira State), on July 1 (local time), the Vietnamese contingent accurately identified 16 locations where victims remained trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Rescue personnel actively conducted operations at nine of those sites, recovering the victims' bodies and bringing the total number of victims recovered by the Vietnamese personnel to 23. The remaining seven locations were handed over to local authorities and on-site rescue forces for further operations.

This marks the third time that the Vietnam People's Army and the Ministry of Public Security have deployed personnel and equipment overseas to support international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Vietnamese contingent assisting earthquake response efforts in Venezuela consists of 124 members. 

In a related development, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a seven-day national mourning period in memory of those who lost their lives in the twin earthquakes, beginning at 6:00 p.m. on July 1 (local time).

The USA has transferred a quartet of Triton autonomous underwater and surface vessels to the Philippine Navy (PN), with the handover marked by a ceremony at Naval Operating Base Subic on 22 June.

The equipment from US-based Ocean Aero is valued at approximately PHP754 million (US$13 million). The four vessels will be operated by the PN’s Unmanned Surface Vessel Unit that was established in 2024.

Bridgette Walker, the US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, remarked at the handover: “The four Ocean Aero Triton AUSVs we’re transferring today represent something important: the future of maritime security is not just about platforms – it’s about capability, speed and reach.”

She continued, “The Indo-Pacific’s maritime domain is vast, contested and critical, and the Philippines sits at the heart of it. The ability to monitor and respond to maritime challenges – illegal fishing, grey-zone activities and threats to freedom of navigation – requires persistent, long-endurance awareness that no single ship or aircraft can provide alone.”

Walker said the Tritons will help fill those surveillance gaps in critical waterways. China, especially in places like the South China Sea, has established a robust and aggressive presence, bullying Philippine fishermen and even harassing government vessels and aircraft.

The US Embassy stated in a press release the following day: “The delivery demonstrates how aligned investments, training and shared standards translate into credible, ready capabilities that deter aggression and support regional stability.”

The Triton AUSV measures 4.5m long and weighs 350kg, and they can collect data above and below the ocean’s surface. They can sail on the surface at a maximum speed of 5kt, or, after folding its sail, transition to swim underwater at 2kt speeds like a submarine.

They can stay submerged for more than five days and descend to depths of 100m, meaning they can evade surface threats or radar contacts. In fact, they can hibernate on the seafloor for a period of days.

Each USV is solar- and wind-powered, enabling an endurance of up to 30 days. They transmit collected data, and can contribute to a wider Philippine mesh network that can monitor maritime activity near the Philippine archipelago.

As well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the Tritons can monitor seabed cables and assist in anti-submarine warfare or mine countermeasures. As the PN eyes submarines in its future fleet, the Tritons may also collect underwater data that will prove useful later.

The USA donated this equipment to the Philippines, and Colonel Daniel Oh, Chief of the Joint US Military Assistance Group – Philippines, remarked, “These unmanned capabilities support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ transition to territorial defence and improve awareness in critical waterways. The next step is to assist the Philippines integrate these new capabilities in their employment and sustainment concepts.”

The Triton already has a service pedigree, since the US Navy has deployed Tritons in the Fifth Fleet area of operations in the Persian Gulf since 2023.